Information for record number MWA4632:
Roman Features , Nuneaton Road, Mancetter

Summary A defensive ditch and features that suggest buildings stood on this site in the Roman period, and were recorded during an excavation. The site lies 50m west of Quarry Lane, Mancetter.
What Is It?  
Type: Ditch, Building, Pit, Post Hole
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Mancetter
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 32 96
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 1984. An area 9m x 10m was excavated prior to the construction of a house. A number of features belonged to the early Roman fort sequence. These included at least two timber beam-slots and a large defensive ditch. The ditch measured at least 2m across and 1.6m deep and was V-shaped. It appeared to be turning sharply to form the SE corner of one of the 1st century forts. The slots lay outside the defended area and probably represent a different (?earlier) phase of military activity; the presence of Lyon ware confirms a pre-Flavian date. Both ditch and slots were cut by a sequence of irregular pits which produced few finds, but some at least belong to the early Roman period. Further buildings may be indicated by a number of shallow post holes.
2 Described in Britannia.
3 Noted.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Britannia: Roman Britain in 1984
Author/originator: S S Frere, MWC Hassall and R S O Tomlin
Date: 1985
Page Number: 251-332
Volume/Sheet: 16
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: WMA
Author/originator: Jones M
Date: 1984
Page Number: 69
Volume/Sheet: 27
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Excavation Report
Author/originator: Jones M
Date: 1984
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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source Britannia Britannia, the journal of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies which contains articles about the archaeology of Roman Britain. It is published annually and copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Roman About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)

The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.

The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FORT * A permanently occupied position or building designed primarily for defence. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument QUARRY * An excavation from which stone for building and other functions, is obtained by cutting, blasting, etc. back
monument POST HOLE * A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record